Can I still get my license?

[deleted150551]

I started my doctoral program in 1997. I completed all my coursework and internship on time, but due to building a family, my dissertation was not completed until 2007. Due to being a full-time stay at home mother, I didn't do a post-doc. In my current state of residence, without the post-doc training hours, I couldn't apply for my license. I've been completely out of the game for 5 years.

I've sent my youngest off to kindergarten and need to return to my career now. Will be moving to Maryland, where I have learned that I can be licensed without a post-doctoral internship year AS LONG AS I meet the requirements for training hours, which I do. However, those hours go range from 1999 through to 2003. I am in contact with the institutions and supervisors, so getting documentation that those hours were completed will not be a problem. But I just don't know if there are "expiration dates" per se on training hours. Will those hours no longer count toward my licensing requirements? Or can I still use them to become licensed? Do the recent changes in Maryland licensing laws have any restrictions on how far back the training hours can go and/or years of inactivity since they were accrued?

(It goes without saying that I'm rusty and would still choose to be supervised closely as I re-enter, but that will be easier if I have my license -- other psychologists would be more willing to take me on if they can get reimbursed for my work. Furthermore, while I have not been practicing directly, I have made sure to continue my training by attending workshops and conferences on a very regular basis).

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[AcronymAllergy]

I'd imagine this is going to vary by state, so contacting MD's licensing board directly might be the best way to go. I believe some states (e.g., GA, if I'm remembering correctly) have a limit on how far out from graduating you can obtain post-doc hours and still be license-eligible, but I don't think all states are that way. If MD doesn't require post-doc hours, then I'd imagine verifying with them that you completed your degree (including the however many hours of pre-doc internship they require) should be sufficient. But again, contacting their board is probably your best bet.

 

[LETSGONYR]

I'd imagine this is going to vary by state, so contacting MD's licensing board directly might be the best way to go. I believe some states (e.g., GA, if I'm remembering correctly) have a limit on how far out from graduating you can obtain post-doc hours and still be license-eligible, but I don't think all states are that way. If MD doesn't require post-doc hours, then I'd imagine verifying with them that you completed your degree (including the however many hours of pre-doc internship they require) should be sufficient. But again, contacting their board is probably your best bet.

I agree that contacting MD's board is the best way to go.

Though, I'm confused about MD not requiring additional hours for licensure... I have lived and worked in MD, and I seem to remember all of the postdocs not being eligible for licensure (or taking the EPPP) until at least a year post-degree. I didn't pay too much attention, since I wasn't yet at that stage of my career, but are you sure that Maryland doesn't require post-doc work?

 

[deleted150551]

Yes, I'm sure. It's a very recent change. They still require the same amount of clinical practice hours and supervision as they always did, however, now those hours can be done pre- or post-. That means some students will have gotten them done during their doctoral training, others will need to complete them post-doc. Only the "when" is what has changed.